Peter Whittingham Jazz Award

This is for jazz creators at a tipping point in their career, whose application can show us that our support will help them develop their music and careers.

We welcome applicants from all walks of life, particularly those currently underrepresented in jazz, such as women, people with disabilities, and individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Monday 18 Aug — Friday 12 Sep 2025

This support is for emerging or early career jazz musicians or groups.

To apply you must:

• Have a track record of making 40% of your income from music over the past two years or longer. Exceptions apply for musicians with a long-term health condition and/​or disability that impacts your ability to earn.
• Be aged 18 or over, living in the UK, with the right to live and work in the UK and with a UK bank account
• Not have more than £10,000 savings or access to other capital that could fund your planned activity

Full eligibility criteria can be found here. We strongly recommend you read these before making an application.

You must deliver your supported activities within 12 months of accepting the grant. Please note, your activity should not start any earlier than three months from the submission of your application

If you’re applying as a group:

• At least 50% of members must meet the criteria as above, including the lead applicant
• You must have been established and playing together regularly for at least one year

• Time to create (writing, composition, rehearsal, collaboration)
• Content creation (video, audio, promotional photography, artwork, design etc.)
• Manufacture and distribution
• Merchandise (design and production)
• Access to creative spaces (rehearsal and writing rooms) 
• PR & Marketing (including social media campaigns) 
• Mentoring (short periods of training with a leading professional in your field to improve your creative practice and skills)
• Touring & Live activity (session musician and crew fees, transport, fuel costs, sound engineer)
• Recording (studio hire, engineering, mixing, mastering)

Applications that incorporate a range of activities are strongly encouraged.

An additional £5,000 is distributed between applicants who demonstrate potential to make an impact in the jazz scene and each will receive half a day of business advice.

Here are the activities that we can’t currently support through this fund:

• Activities that take place within 3 months of a submitted application
• Applicants who have previously been supported through the Peter Whittingham Jazz Award
• Activities that are not primarily focused on developing a career as a musician 
• Formal courses of study, training or research (including undergraduate study, postgraduate study, year-long courses, costs associated with PhD study)
• Regular 1 – 1 lessons
• Costs relating to the purchase of musical instruments (including laptops) and/​or the upgrade/​maintenance of existing instruments
• Applications where equipment costs are more than 50% of grant
• Applications that are solely for visas and/​or carnets
• Costs associated with entering into competitions
• Activities that have already occurred
• Attendance at showcases already supported by the PRS for Music Foundation International Showcase Fund or similar funding opportunities in the nations (SXSW CMJ, A3C, Womex, Reeperbahn, Folk Alliance International, MIDEM Canadian Music Week)
• We will not support musicians with costs towards planned tours or live performances in Russia or Belarus with state-sponsored and/​or state-funded venues or companies

No, you can only apply for, and take part in, one creative and career service at a time.

This means that if you are awaiting the outcome of another career development application you will not be eligible to make any further applications.

This also means that if you are receiving support from another career development award or service you will not be able to apply for any other career development support until the other support has ended. This would usually be when you have completed your activity and submitted a final report.

This does not impact access to our Health and Welfare services, and you are welcome to apply to us for physical health, mental health or financial welfare support at any time if you need.

Stage One: Application 

To make an application you will need to have an account on our new application portal. Register & Apply

Completing the Profile 

Before submitting your application, you will need to complete and submit your profile. This is where you tell us more about your personal circumstances and confirm that you meet the charity’s eligibility criteria. This section can be found in the​‘Profile & Bank Details’ section of the grant portal. Once you have completed this section, use the submit button to submit your profile. You will not be able to submit your application until you have completed and submitted the profile section.

If you have any further questions when making an application via the application portal, please contact us at support@​helpmusicians.​org.​uk

What are we looking for in the application?

Biography

We’re looking to understand your career in performing or creating music so far. Show us your achievements and career highlights, share what you’re proud of. Bear in mind that we won’t know you or your music, so the clearer you can be and the more examples you can give us the better! This can include performances, collaborations, tours, festivals, showcases, commissions, recent releases, reviews (inc. press quotes and radio play), evidence of your growing fanbase (mailing list subscribers, social media followers) and prizes or awards. Remember to share links to any websites or socials you want us to see.

Your Activity

The details of the work you’re applying for financial support towards. Remember to include a timeline and double-check that it’s achievable.

Impact

Our support is here to help you take the next step, so we’re looking to understand why this activity is crucial for your career at this point. Help us to understand what you are trying to achieve in the short and long-term through the activity and how it will benefit your progression as a music creator.

Budget

We know a budget can be tricky but it’s also incredibly useful for focusing and understanding your plans. Try to think about the costs associated with each activity in the project. Make it clear where you require financial assistance from Help Musicians, as well as elements that may be supported by other organisations or yourself. 

You can find more detailed guidance and support for each question within the application form. If you have any questions about the support we can offer, want to talk through your plans, or are looking for advice about the application process, book some time to talk it through with one of the team.

Please note: If applying after a break or a change in circumstance we will take into consideration your past achievements, but you will also need to demonstrate that you are committed to reinvigorating and sustaining your career as a music creator.

Stage Two: Artist Development Day 

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an Artist Development Day at Strongroom Studios in London on Tuesday 26 November. 

This will involve an opportunity to perform in front of a panel of jazz experts as well as the chance to receive a one hour 1:1 business development session with an industry expert, and a ​‘Get to know Help Musicians’ session with a member of our Engagement Team. An optional session with a performance anxiety specialist will also be offered to those wanting to receive advice on this topic prior to their performance over zoom. 

Further information will be communicated to those successfully shortlisted by the end of October, but please hold this date in your diary.

After Applying

You will receive a confirmation email once you submit your application form. If you haven’t received this, please email support@​helpmusicians.​org.​uk and we can check for you.

All applicants will be notified about outcomes by late November.

1990 James Nye

1991 Saxtet

1992 Scott Stroman

1993 Andrea Vicari

1994 Steve Plews

1995 Errollyn Wallen
(Development Award: Peter Fairclough)

1996 Chris Batchelor
(Development Award: Michael Garrick, Adam Glasser, Alyn Shipton)

1997 Graham Collier and Mark Lockheart

1998 Martin Speake
(Development Award: Cathy Tozer, Andy Scott)

1999 Tim Whitehead
(Development Award: Veryan Weston)

2000 Paul Bartholomew and Dave O’Higgins

2001 Tom Arthurs

2002 Paul Towndrow

2003 Soweto Kinch
(Development Award: Andrew Morgan)

2004 6Pac

2005 Led Bib
(Development Award: Andy Davies, Chris Mapp, John Barwood)

2006 David O’Brien
(Development Award: Matt Calvert, Sebastien Pipe)

2007 Empirical
(Development Award: Trish Clowes)

2008 John Randall
(Development Award: Mark McKnight)

2009 No award
(Development Award: John Cervantes, Timothy Evans)

2010 World Service Project
(Development Award: Peter Edward, Joe Wright)

2011 Roller Trio
(Development Award: Chaos Collective
Special Commendation: Ayanna Witter-Johnson)

2012 Reuben Fowler
(Development Award: Ollie Howell)

2013 Phil Meadows
(Development Award: Elliott Galvin)

2014 Stretch Trio
(Development Award: Mark Pringle)

2015 Square One and Patchwork Jazz Orchestra
(Development Award: JJ Wheeler, Big Bad Wolf)

2016 Fergus McCreadie
(Development Award: David Ferris)

2017 Helena Kay (KIM Trio)
(Development Awards: Olly Chalk, Tetes de Pois and Archipelago)

2018 Alex Hitchcock
(Development Awards: Tom Smith, Sheila Maurice-Grey)

2019 Skeltr
(Development Awards: Emma Johnson and Matt Carmichael) 

2020 Xhosa Cole, Liam De’Tar (Yaatri), Lara Jones
(Development Award: Shirley Tetteh)

2021 Tom Ridout
(Development Awards: Olivia Murphy and Clara Serra Lopez)

2022 No award
(Development Award: Nicola Guida, Tyrone Isaac-Stuart, John Pope, Nishla Smith)

2023 Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band
(Development Awards: Julia Dos Reis (J.A.M. String Collective) and Peter Komor (Howl Quartet))